History

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has a rich tradition and the League members work hard every year to keep building upon its successes. The MJHL is the oldest Junior A League in Canada. The first year of operation was the 1918 – 1919 season. That year there were nine teams in two divisions. The teams included the Winnipeg Pilgrims, Elmwood, Grand Trunk Pacific, Winnipeg Tigers, Young Men’s Lutheran Club, Winnipeg Argonauts, Selkirk Fishermen, Weston and Winnipeg Monarchs. The first season consisted of each team playing six games. The MJHL membership has fluctuated over the years with as few as four teams as its lowest level of membership.

As of the 2006 – 2007 season there are eleven (11) member teams in the MJHL and the league has enjoyed great success over the past several years. The theme of the past three MJHL seasons has been “parity”. The League championship has been up for grabs each of the past three seasons with as many as six teams having a legitimate chance of winning. The League has developed into a tough, competitively balanced league. This has created some tremendous playoff series to the delight of the MJHL’s loyal fans.

The mission statement of the MJHL is “To provide each player with an elite hockey development experience with a strong emphasis on education and citizenship.” The MJHL provides wonderful opportunities for young men who are interested in developing as hockey players while pursuing educational and hockey dreams. The MJHL develops players for advancement to higher levels of hockey. When a player decides to play for a MJHL team he will be joining an impressive group of young men who have played in the League and gone on to greatness in the NHL and in other careers. Former MJHL players who have starred or are currently playing in the NHL include Bob Clarke, Reg Leach, Tyler Arnason, Mike Ridley, Duvie Westcott, Shane Hnidy and many many more.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has enjoyed many years of Junior A hockey. The champions of the League range from well-known names to lesser known ones from earlier eras. Please review the list of MJHL Champions that follows. Please also note that in 1939 a League champion was not crowned. For additional interest please review the top ten list of all time goal scorers in the MJHL.

1919

Y.M.L.C. (Young Mens Lutheran Club)

1963

Brandon Wheat Kings

1920

Selkirk

1964

Brandon Wheat Kings

1921

Winnipeg Falcons

1965

Winnipeg Braves

1922

Varsity University of Manitoba

1966

Winnipeg Rangers

1923

Varsity University of Manitoba

1967

Flin Flon Bombers

1924

Winnipeg Tammay Tigers

1968

St. James Canadians

1925

Varsity University of Manitoba

1969

Dauphin Kings

1926

Winnipeg Tammay Tigers

1970

Dauphin Kings

1927

Elmwood Millionaires

1971

St. Boniface Saints

1928

Elmwood Millionaires

1972

Dauphin Kings

1929

Elmwood Millionaires

1973

Portage la Prairie Terriers

1930

Elmwood Millionaires

1974

Selkirk Steelers

1931

Elmwood Millionaires

1975

Selkirk Steelers

1932

Winnipeg Monarchs

1976

Selkirk Steelers

1933

Brandon Native Sons

1977

Dauphin Kings

1934

Kenora Thistles

1978

Kildonan North Stars

1935

Winnipeg Monarchs

1979

Selkirk Steelers

1936

Elmwood Maple Leafs

1980

Selkirk Steelers

1937

Winnipeg Monarchs

1981

St. Boniface Saints

1938

St. Boniface Seals

1982

Fort Garry Blues

1940

Kenora Thistles

1983

Dauphin Kings

1941

Winnipeg Rangers

1984

Selkirk Steelers

1942

Portage la Prairie Terriers

1985

Selkirk Steelers

1943

Winnipeg Rangers

1986

Winnipeg South Blues

1944

St. James Canadians

1987

Selkirk Steelers

1945

Winnipeg Monarchs

1988

Winnipeg South Blues

1946

Winnipeg Monarchs

1989

Winnipeg South Blues

1947

Brandon Elks

1990

Portage la Prairie Terriers

1948

Winnipeg Monarchs

1991

Winkler Flyers

1949

Brandon Wheat Kings

1992

Winkler Flyers

1950

Brandon Wheat Kings

1993

Dauphin Kings

1951

Winnipeg Monarchs

1994

St. Boniface Saints

1952

Winnipeg Monarchs

1995

Winnipeg South Blues

1953

St. Boniface Canadiens

1996

St. James Canadians

1954

St. Boniface Canadiens

1997

St. James Canadians

1955

Winnipeg Monarchs

1998

Winkler Flyers

1956

St. Boniface Canadiens

1999

OCN Blizzard

1957

Winnipeg Monarchs

2000

OCN Blizzard

1958

St. Boniface Canadiens

2001

OCN Blizzard

1959

Winnipeg Braves

2002

OCN Blizzard

1960

Brandon Wheat Kings

2003

OCN Blizzard

1961

Winnipeg Rangers

2004

Selkirk Steelers

1962

Brandon Wheat Kings

2005

Portage Terriers

2006

Winnipeg South Blues

MJHL Top Ten Goal Scorers

1

Mike Ridley

91

St. Boniface Saints

1982 – 83

2

Brent Sapergia

77

Dauphin Kings

1982 – 83

3

Reg Spence

76

Southeast T. Birds

1989 – 90

4

Jim Misener

73

Dauphin Kings

1974 – 75

5

Kevin Green

72

Kildonan North Stars

1989 – 90

6

Bob Clarke

71

Flin Flon Bombers

1966 – 67

7

Juha Widing

70

Brandon Wheat Kings

1966 – 67

8

Ken Krentz

68

Selkirk Steelers

1977 – 78

9

Reg Leach

67

Flin Flon Bombers

1966 – 67

10

Dale Maksymyk

66

Selkirk Steelers

1976 – 77

2018 Spring Camp

Chase the Ace

Chase the Ace at every Neepawa Natives home game. The pot is over $3000. Jacks and Jokers Pay $250. Come out and support the organization.